Hanoi (VNA) –US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo held talks with his Philippinecounterpart Teodoro Locsin on August 6 to update the latter on recent changes in US policy onmaritime claims in the East Sea, as well as affirm the US’s support for SoutheastAsian coastal states in upholding their sovereign rights and interestsconsistent with international law.
They also discussedopportunities to further bilateral maritime cooperation as well as to intensifyeconomic and security ties.
On the same day, Pompeohad a phone call to Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to discussstrong US-Malaysia Comprehensive Partnership as well as the two countries’shared respect for international law and the rules-based maritime order in the EastSea.
Both also discussedcontinued economic and health-related cooperation in the wake of the COVID-19pandemic./.